Barbarian Quest

Chapter 229

The alliance army started the plundering. They raided nearby cities and estates, plundering the food reserves the people had accumulated over the autumn. People who relied solely on the empire's protection could not stand against the merciless plunderers.

"Why do they stay even though they know we're close to them?" the chief of the Black Spear Tribe muttered.

"It's because they can't abandon their lands. They're settlers. Even if they were to abandon their land and leave, they wouldn’t have any other way to survive."

Urich answered while watching the village burn. The alliance was split into several groups to plunder the surroundings. The looted goods were gathered at the Arten outpost and then sent out to the west.

Clatter, clatter.

A wagon full of looted goods emerged behind the plunderers. The wagon was filled with stolen food and treasures.

"So, do you have any idea who killed Noah Arten?" The Black Spear chief asked.

"Well, I don't know who killed him yet, but it has to be someone who dislikes Samikan, right?" Urich answered.

"Then you’ve got a long line of people to go through, haha."

The Black Spear chief laughed, and Urich laughed along.

The small security organization of the village was subdued, and the warriors went from house to house, committing massacres and violations. Urich frowned but could not stop them. It was the rightful privilege of those who had shed blood. Even if he were to order them to stop, only the warriors from the Battle of Valdima or the Stone Axe Tribe would heed such an order.

‘If we keep scorching every place we go like this, all of civilization is going to hate us. We need to show mercy for the sake of our future.’

The alliance units who had finished their plundering gradually returned to the Arten outpost. The faces of the warriors were filled with smiles.

"Are we really allowed to keep all this?"

"Hey, I, Georg Artur, promised you, didn’t I? I told you that you were going to get your fair share for the fight."

Loot was distributed even to the civilized units that had joined the alliance from the last battle. Their eyes gleamed with greed as they laid them on the precious metals they had never touched in their lives. Having tasted the sweetness of wealth, they weren’t going to leave the alliance anytime soon.

The historical success of the plundering boosted the morale of the alliance.

The door opened with a creak and Samikan came out of his quarters. He had overexerted himself in the previous battle and therefore had not participated in this plundering. Occasionally, his face even turned purple from the illness he was suffering.

"Urich, how did Gurhen, the chief of the Black Spear, react?"

Sending Urich with the chief of the Black Spear was Samikan's plan.

"He resents you, just like you said he would. But he wouldn't have killed Noah."

"Are you sure?"

"I’m sure."

Samikan gestured, calling Urich into his quarters.

"Huff."

Samikan took a deep breath and let it out. He sat down awkwardly in his chair like an old man.

"It seems like you’re doing pretty bad?" Urich pointed out.

Without responding, Samikan popped a pill wrapped in leaves in his mouth. He chewed and swallowed the medicine, shivering momentarily. Once the pain subsided, he finally looked directly at Urich.

"So Gurhen of the Black Spear didn't kill Noah?"

"Gurhen was on the battlefield when Noah was killed."

"He could have ordered his men to do it. The warriors of the Black Spear are formidable. He probably has many brothers who have died at my hands."

"Gurhen had nothing to gain by killing Noah."

"He doesn’t need any benefit to do something like that; his resentment alone is enough motivation. Stupid ones like him hated that a civilized man like Noah was giving them orders from above them."

Samikan gritted his teeth. He fiddled with his sun necklace.

"That seems like a reach, Samikan."

"...You’re the only one I can trust right now, and you've been away from the alliance for a while. You probably don't know how things are going inside," Samikan spoke quietly. He handed a glass of liquor to Urich.

"No matter what anyone says, the chiefs are all supporting you as the Great Chief. Whether they like you or not is not what's important. They believe there's no one else but you to lead the alliance right now. No one’s going to rebel against you at a time like this."

"No one? Nonsense! There are plenty out there trying to stab me in the back at any chance they see! I can hear them clicking their tongues at my illness behind me. If not them, then who killed Noah? Tell me, Urich."

Samikan's fingers trembled.

“Whatever. I already told you that Chief Gurhen did not kill Noah. I'll look into it further."

Urich did not finish his drink and left it as it was. He then left Samikan's quarters.

Throughout the winter, the alliance emptied the Arten outpost and prepared to advance. At winter's end, they planned to invade the territories under direct control of the empire to deplete the empire's strength. Despite the ominous movements of the alliance, the empire could not send a subjugation force easily.

In the north, the independence army was in a stand-off with the imperial army. The northern winter was harsh on the imperial army, and the northern independence army had ample time to grow their forces. The independence army occupied several northern fortresses that were originally built by the imperial army, declared them their own territories, and claimed to be a kingdom.

All of this was a predicament for the empire. Recognizing the north as an independent kingdom would drastically undermine the empire's prestige and dignity. It was absurd to claim to rule civilized vassal states while even a barbarian kingdom could declare independence from them.

The independent kingdom of the north became a precedent for other vassal states' independence claims. From the empire's perspective, these states were more dangerous than the plunderers from the west.

"If we launch our attacks in spring and summer, we’ll be able to see a lot of immediate surrenders. It will be devastating for them if they were to get attacked during the planting season and cannot farm for the year ahead."

Georg was a good advisor to Urich. He had a lot of knowledge and was adept at filling Urich's gaps, much like Noah had been to Samikan.

Urich and Georg tried to map out the course of the upcoming battles. They planned to attack the southern regions extensively to distance the northern and western fronts as much as possible.

"It's tough even for the imperial forces to handle two fronts simultaneously. They might have to bring out the entirety of their military force or abandon one of the two fronts," Georg commented.

"I've heard there are many granaries in the south. Shouldn't we attack there?" Urich asked.

"Ah, you’re talking about the Marganu region. But that won't be easy. The area, being a granary, has substantial local forces. I’d say they’re on par with a small kingdom."

While Urich and Georg were discussing, a warrior entered. He had just returned from visiting his family in the west.

"Urich, Gurhen of the Black Spear is dead. Apparently, he slipped and fell off Yailrud while he was crossing it."

Urich frowned upon hearing this. It was true that Yailrud was a dangerous bridge. But out of everyone, it was Gurhen of the Black Spear who died.

‘Samikan...’

It was clearly Samikan’s doing. He had finally lost patience and had Gurhen killed. There was no proof, but the circumstantial evidence was more than compelling.

Many chiefs murmured about Gurhen's death, but Samikan's influence still dominated the alliance. Although the warriors of the Black Spear Tribe left the alliance in protest at their chief's death, that was all.

The long winter ended, and sprouts appeared on the plains. Just standing outside in the daytime was enough to make one sweat. Warriors who had been cooped up in the outpost for a long time shouldered their gear.

The day of departure arrived. Urich and Samikan took the lead on their horses.

"Taking out Gurhen was a mistake, Samikan," Urich said from his horse.

Samikan turned his head to gaze at Urich and replied, "There are no mistakes in my actions, Urich. My actions are the will of the heavens."

"Such words shouldn't come from you, Samikan. You are a man who deceives the heavens."

"If the heavens were really angry with my actions thus far, I wouldn't still be alive, would I?"

Samikan sat straight. From the side, he didn't look like a sick man at all. The only time Samikan showed his weakness was when he was alone with Urich.

"Samikan, it's not gods or heavens that punish humans on earth. It's always another human who splits a man's head."

"Human actions are the will of the heavens."

"That’s not what I think. My actions are always my own."

"The one blessed by the earth should not speak such words, or you might find yourself in trouble on the battlefield, Urich. Haha."

Samikan laughed lightly.

"If I die, that just means that I'm lacking. Samikan, you didn't rely on the heavens when you formed the alliance. You trusted only your strength and vision."

"That’s because forming the alliance was achievable with human strength. What we are about to do is a great deed. We cannot accomplish it without borrowing the power and will of the heavens! Urich, do you think it was merely by chance that I survived an arrow to the chest?"

Urich was at a loss for words. Samikan, having gained the upper hand, pressed on.

"Gurhen would have eventually rebelled against me. Eliminating him before departing was to remove an element of uncertainty. You of all people should understand me. Urich, look! This is our achievement! This is our army!"

Samikan turned around and raised his hand high. Over ten thousand troops roared.

Once again, the warriors of the west had gathered. This was their last chance. If they lost warriors again, it would be difficult to replenish it with just the population of the west.

"We will be remembered as the terror and great warriors who traveled between two worlds, my brother!"

Samikan grabbed Urich's head with both hands and glared with intense eyes. The smile on Samikan’s face was precarious.

* * *

The northern front was shrouded in heated screams. The dying cries of those calling out to their gods stained the sky.

The northern warriors were no longer mere barbarians. They had become an army with equipment and systems no different from the civilized world. To make matters worse for the empire, the commanders leading them were Sun Warriors who had received the imperial military training.

Creak, creak.

The northern warriors loaded the catapults and large crossbows inside the fortress. Sun Warriors standing on the walls looked out over the plains at the approaching imperial army.

"Fire!"

Not even the empire's proud turtle formation could withstand the barrage of stones and large arrows. Imperial soldiers approaching the walls tumbled down, losing their blood and chunks of flesh.

"Dammit!"

The imperial officers cursed as they issued a retreat. The northern warriors efficiently used the equipment left behind by the retreating imperial army.

The fortress the northern warriors had occupied was originally built by the imperial army for its own defense, boasting fortifications that could rank among the best in the civilized world. The empire had failed to station defense forces in time, losing those forts easily, and was starting the war at a significant disadvantage.

As the imperial army showed signs of retreat, the northern warriors opened the fortress gates and charged.

"Bilkeeeeeer!"

"Long live the Sun!"

It was a strange spectacle. The northern warriors invoked the sun as they tore the imperial soldiers to shreds.

At the forefront of the northern independence army stood a boy known as the descendant of Mijorn. It was Bilker, who was already being called the king of the north.

"Pour the fury of the north on those cowards fleeing with their backs turned! The Sun that is to dispel the darkness of the north is here! Praise the Sun! Fight for our people!"

Bilker extended his spear far forward. His arm, once broken and now healed, was stronger than before.

Though young, Bilker was a warrior recognized by all warriors. He possessed not only bravery but also superior combat skills. His judgment was clear, and he was not sly. He was the ideal future king of the north.

Many tribal chiefs had already whispered to their daughters to attempt to seduce Bilker. Yet, Bilker did not succumb to such lust. He possessed the valor of the north and also the virtue and restraint needed by a follower of the Sun God.

‘A perfect king of the north bestowed by Lou,’ the northerners whispered among themselves.

The defeated imperial army retreated and regrouped much further back than where they had started from. The severely wounded soldiers groaned, calling out desperately to Lou.

"Those are no longer barbarians! The people at the capital have got this all wrong!"

Bloodied officers gathered and raised their voices before even washing themselves off.

"We are facing an organized army just like ours! We need at least two legions! A ragtag group like this is never going to suppress them."

"I’ve put in a request to His Majesty. A response should come soon."

Alfnan, the leader of the Sun Warriors, spoke. The northern imperial army was currently without a commander, with officers arbitrarily dividing command among themselves.

"If only the Sun Warriors hadn't sided with the rebels..."

The nobles blamed Alfnan.

Alfnan had nothing to say, so he remained silent. His insides were boiling just as much as the others in the room.

Ideally, Alfnan should have taken the responsibility of commander. However, due to the blunders of the Sun Warriors, Alfnan's position had plummeted as low as it could. The nobles did not accept his command.

Clip, clop.

The sound of horse hooves was heard outside. A horse near the command tent meant a messenger had arrived. Alfnan hurried outside to receive the messenger's letter. They were desperately awaiting support from the capital.

"What has His Majesty said?"

Alfnan's expression hardened upon reading the letter.

"The western plunderers have invaded the imperial direct territories. Immediate reinforcements are impossible..."

"If the northern front collapses, the northern independence army will also break into the direct territories! Are they telling us to die?"

The nobles who had joined the northern imperial army owned estates in the imperial north. Protecting their own lands was a big reason why they had joined the imperial army.

"Shut your mouth. It is His Majesty's command. Defend the front with your lives. I, Alfnan, will take command."

"The Sun Warriors have betrayed the empire. What right do you have..."

"Though I may be an incompetent sinner, who else here can take command? I swear by Lou, until my last breath, I will fight the traitors and barbarians."

Alfnan saw a glimmer of light in the worst possible situation. He carefully folded the letter and placed it in his pocket.

'If I can hold off the northern army here and lead us to victory, I can atone for my mistakes.'

The only way for Alfnan to survive after being branded a traitor to his people was to plunge into grim death.

'I have gone through thick and thin all my life under the yoke of being a traitor to my kin. I cannot lose everything here.'

Alfnan gritted his teeth.